BUSINESSES are being urged to attend a free event in Crewe that could help them avoid paying costly fines.

The breakfast briefing will take place at South Cheshire College on March 28, from 8am.

The briefing will provide information on changes to environmental legislation and rules on business standards.

It will include top tips to help businesses avoid costly fines for failing to meet key legal requirements.

With Brexit presenting businesses with a host of opportunities and challenges, the event will help companies ensure they remain competitive and comply with important changes to the ISO 9001 and 14001 standards demanded by customers for quality and environmental management.

Businesses can receive free business support before the end of March, to help identify energy-saving and other resource-reducing opportunities.

Cllr George Hayes, chairman of the Skills and Growth Company, said: “For any business holding quality or environmental ISO standards, this is a ‘must attend’ event.

“For others – who feel improvements in their environment efficiency could not only help them save thousands of pounds but also give them a real business edge – I urge them to attend and take advantage of our free support.”

Cheshire East companies that have benefited in the past through similar programmes include Holmes Chapel-based Fine Décor, which saved more than £500,000 and Nantwich-based haulage company GA Newsome, which saved £81,000.

The council’s environmental business support programme is managed by its arms-length Skills and Growth Company in partnership with Groundwork Cheshire.

For more information on the event and to book places visit skillsandgrowth.co.uk/events/